The Netherlands has three tiers of government:
- central
- provincial
- municipal

Central government concerns itself with issues of national interest. The provinces and municipalities govern locally. Provincial responsibilities include environmental management, land-use planning, energy, sport, and culture. The government of each province consists of a provincial council (elected by the people), a provincial executive, and a Queen's Commissioner. Municipal responsibilities include traffic, housing, social work, health care, sport, culture, and recreation. The government of each municipality consists of a council (elected by the people) and an executive (comprising a mayor and aldermen). The Dutch Government (i.e. central government) appoints mayors and Queen's Commissioners.